Hammonds is advising plumbing and heating company The BSS Group plc on its recommended takeover by builders' merchant Travis Perkins plc. The deal will create the UK's leading plumbing and heating distribution business.

The takeover, which was announced on 5 July 2010, has been structured by way of a scheme of arrangement and is subject to shareholder and certain other approvals.

At a price of 435.8 pence per BSS share, the offer values BSS at approximately £557.6 million. The consideration will be satisfied by a combination of cash and new Travis Perkins shares.

The Hammonds team was led by corporate partners James McKay, Robert Bray and Giles Distin.

The BSS Group is a longstanding client of Hammonds. The firm has advised the company on a number of acquisitions over the past years, including Birchwood Products (2008), Buck & Hickman (2007) and Tricom (2003).